Manchester Derby: 400 Officers To Be On Duty Over Guardiola/Mourinho Rivalry
Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho[/caption]
Ahead of this Saturday’s Manchester Derby at Old Trafford, about 400 officers are expected to be on duty for the game over the Mourinho/Guardiola feud which dates back in time.
Mourinho and Guardiola’s relationship stretches back more than 20 years, when they were together at Barcelona as assistant coach and player.
However, things quickly soured when they became management rivals and in matches played between their sides, no fewer than 10 players have been sent off.
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However, it is reported that neither manager is expected to be spoken to individually before the game.
In addition to that, every member of United’s security team charged with making searches has been retrained.
A new plan and strategy has been put in place with United sparing no expense to ensure that, should such a situation arise again, it is dealt with more efficiently.
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“There is no intelligence to suggest that there will be mass disorder. And while it does not necessarily affect the risk element, police are aware of the Jose Mourinho/Pep Guardiola rivalry and that the arrival of the new managers and their own rivalry could bring heightened tension,” a source said.
“No extra resources are being deployed because of it, but it is something that will be part of the review and it will be relayed to officers who are on duty at the game.”
The Chief Inspector Dean Howard, from greater Manchester Police (GMP), who is Saturday’s match commander said: “This is arguably the biggest game of the season so far and no doubt will have the eyes of the world watching.
“We have a lot of experience policing high-profile fixtures such as this and we work closely with officials and fan groups from both clubs. The vast majority of supporters are law-abiding members of the public and we hope all those in attendance enjoy the game in a competitive but safe atmosphere, allowing Manchester to once again showcase its football.”
The first Manchester Derby of the season will kick-off at 12.30 pm on Saturday August 10th at Old Trafford.
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Both sides have made a perfect start to the season, each winning their first three Premier League matches under their new managers, with Mourinho taking charge of his first Manchester derby in front of his own fans at Old Trafford.
41-year-old Euro 2016 Final referee, Mark Clattenburg will be in charge of the game.
